Newcastle charity shop, Re-styled by St Oswald’s Hospice – which transforms donated furniture into unique upcycled homewares, has launched a series of interactive workshops, where you can learn to craft like a pro while raising funds for the Gosforth-based Hospice.
On top of teaching new skills to upcycling enthusiasts, the workshops, which start from £25 per person, are a creative way of fundraising for the local charity, which needs to raise over £7.5m a year.
Free events are being held regularly throughout the year too, including ‘Beginners Painting’, where people can learn the basics of using chalk paint to bring new life into old pieces.
There’ll also be expert ‘as seen on TV’ advice on hand courtesy of the shop’s manager, Sophie Adamson. Sophie has appeared twice on the international shopping channel, Hochanda, offering viewers live demonstrations accompanied by creative hints and tips.
Alongside assistant shop manager, Sarah Finnemore, the duo have combined their artistic talents to develop the varied programme of basic, intermediate and advanced classes for hopeful #northeastupcyclers.
As well as discovering new crafts such as rag wreath making, embellishment and decoupage, attendees can perfect techniques to transform furniture at upholstery and painting workshops.
Later in the year, anyone taking part in the Christmas-themed sessions will be sure to get into the festive spirit after learning how to create their very own homemade bunting and stockings.
With all workshops held in the bright and colourful Re-styled store, based in Eldon Garden Shopping Centre in Newcastle, participants can enjoy an intimate setting, while taking interiors inspiration from its ever-changing collection of beautifully bespoke, handcrafted homewares.
All workshops will provide the necessary tools to master each skill, and participants will receive a special discount voucher to use in-store across the range of unique upcycled furniture.
Sophie said: “The aim of our workshops is to show just how easy and fun it is to turn something a bit worn out into something to be proud of, just like we do with our ‘pre-loved to re-loved’ pieces we sell at Re-styled.
“We hope that people will enjoy the relaxed and creative atmosphere, and whether you don’t know where to start or have already got some knowledge, there’s something for all abilities to get involved in. The groups are quite small, so all of our workshops allow for one-on-one time, meaning people can really make the most of the experience and make some new friends along the way.”
With a rising trend and growing popularity of shabby chic upcycled furniture, the Re-styled team is also inviting other upcycling gurus to host workshops at the shop to cover even more arts, crafts and hobby areas.
Sophie added: “We’re hoping the workshops will help us to start establishing a community of #northeastupcyclers and encourage more people to see the potential of their unwanted items, then use their new-found talents to transform them. We’d love for any other local crafters or artists interested in leading a workshop or supporting us, to achieve this to get in touch and help to raise crucial funds for the Hospice.”
To secure a place and for more information, please call the shop on 0191 230 3184, email re-styled@stoswaldsuk.org, or pop in at Unit 19 Eldon Garden Shopping Centre, NE1 7RA.
To keep up to date with news from the Re-styled team, follow them on Facebook and Instagram by searching ‘Restyled St Oswald’s’, and join the conversation using #northeastupcyclers.